#uber – rootedbythewater.blog

Walking the Riverwalk trail with Joshua.

It sure has been a fun day. (After a very stressful week) Two days ago my son Joshua said he wanted to take me to lunch and let me experience Uber. He was trying to decide where we should go. At first he said Downtown Charlotte, then he mentioned Riverwalk in Rock Hill. Riverwalk is more my thing, so we went there. My husband Ron dropped us off at Tony’s Cantina Mexican Grill. Joshua had never been. It’s a cool environment but I don’t quite understand Mexican decor. For some reason they use glamorized pictures of skulls. Anyway, it was a beautiful breezy Carolina afternoon so we sat outside. The restaurant sits on a street corner overlooking the entrance to Riverwalk walking trail. I ordered the chicken lunch burrito with guacamole salad and rice and he got a taco platter that was served in a very cool vertical display. After an enjoyable lunch we decided to walk the trail that winds along the Catawba River.

We walked and talked and it was just the best afternoon spent with one of my biggest blessings. As we reached the end of the trail where you turn around we decided to call the Uber driver from that spot. He had been trying to get me to try Uber but I’ve never done it. With my hearing loss and visual impairment, I’m a bit chicken. You do need to be able to see the different models of cars. I can see cars but I haven’t the slightest clue on different car models and reading licenses plates isn’t ideal for me. I could just see me getting in the wrong car. However, Ubering with him was fun. It only took our driver about eight minutes to arrive. The driver was a really nice guy and Joshua talked with him all the way to our house.

My first Uber ride with Joshua after a sweaty long walk along the Catawba River.

It warms my heart that our grown son still enjoys spending time with me and wanted to treat me to a day out. He does that with his dad as well. I remember when he was just a little guy, maybe three years old, I would close the gate to our driveway and we’d race big wheels and tricycles. I’ve never been able to drive him anywhere since I can’t see well enough to drive. We always created fun where ever we were.

He has a few months left to Massage therapy school. He seems to have found his thing. He is great with people and is learning so many different massage techniques. I have gotten two deep tissue massages from him and it was amazing. Can’t wait to see where this takes him.

In the meantime, while he is with us I’m soaking up this time because I know he won’t be here forever. Dinner time is a bit tricky because he has night classes and gets home late so I end up cooking dinner twice on most nights so his food is fresh when he gets home. I don’t mind spoiling him. He is such a sweetheart and treasure. Thankful that we had this time together today making memories. Until next time~

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Amazed at the beauty of the lake (Photo credit Leasa P)

Yesterday I FINALLY got to try out the “new to me” kayak. Someone gave me a used Equinox 12.0T two person kayak back in April and I’ve been waiting patiently for someone to go with me. Not knowing the ins and outs of this particular kayak, I wanted someone who knew the sport to come along. Yesterday was the day.

My friends Tami and Leasa were my “Ubers on the water”. With my low vision and hearing combination it’s safer for me to go in the two seater. Tami and her husband have gone for years so we wanted her to come along for our “trial maiden voyage”. I bought life jackets and whistles. Weather was perfect and very few boaters, so all went fairly well.

We put the kayaks in at Nivens Landing in Tega Cay and paddled down to the dam on the south end of Lake Wylie: part of the Catawba River basin. I remember this stretch of the lake pretty well. We used to sea-doo in that area for years. I saw houses that I called “landmarks” to me simply because I could see them and it helped me to know where I was on the lake. We also passed a small island that I had completely forgotten. Tami and Leasa saw a big bird at the top of one tree on the island. There must have been a nest up there. Oh the treasure they have of good vision.

As we got closer to the dam we could feel the suction of the water. I’m assuming the dam was opened .We decided to turn around and head back toward where we got in. Once we reached Nivens Landing, Tami was surprised at the amount of water in our kayak. In her one seater, holes go straight through the kayak and are not plugged. In my two seater all the plugs were in. I’m assuming as water got in from paddling or wakes, there was no place for it to drain out. The thought of that is slightly unnerving and paddling without any plugs in is downright intimidating. We will try it again on the other side of the dam that is popular for tubing and kayaking and decide whether to keep it or not. I’m going to do some research.

It is such a joy to be out on the water. I always feel so close to God in His beautiful creation. Being mindful of my limitations, I watch the surface of the water for wakes and know when engine powered vessels are passing. I also wore my old Niada cochlear implant processor. It doesn’t work well but I can hear some voices and environmental sounds with it. Of course I could also smell gas when boats and jet skis passed by. With my low vision and hearing, I use every bit of the working senses I have so I can enjoy the treasure of nature.

Truth be told, having to go in a two seater makes me feel like a “bird in a cage”. ( Perhaps that should be my next blog topic. You would be surprised at how confining limitations can be.) Going with a partner, I have to match the paddling, speed and direction. Yesterday I just copied Leasa’s paddling and knew which direction she wanted to go. Going solo I would be free!

Today my husband Ron and I looked at some one seaters. We wanted to see the drainage holes and compare the weights. So many pros and cons. As we research we will find the best fit. I believe I have found a hobby that I truly enjoy. Now if I could just get Ron onboard. He prefers things with engines. I’m thankful friends enjoy going and there is always hope Ron will eventually like it. This girl can dream.

If you liked this blog post please subscribe and share. I’m thankful for this gift to share when God puts something on my heart. You can find my autobiography Rooted by the Water on Amazon. (Hard cover soft cover, and e-book formats.) I pray it gives you great hope and courage to surrender to Jesus. He is all you really need. All for the Glory of God. Be blessed!

Tag: #uber

Perfect Outing

My Ubers on the water ~ A maiden voyage